“Setting” Definition In works of narrative (especially fictional), the literary element setting includes the historical moment in time and geographic location in which a story takes place, and helps initiate the main backdrop and mood for a story.

Setting includes… The geographical setting – elements like the land, the climate The historical era – does it take place in the past, present, etc? The culture – what are the traditions, customs, and language of the place? The emotional atmosphere – how does the place feel? (for example, at a funeral)

Things you could write about while pre-writing for setting. Sensory details about the place – sights, sounds, smells, tastes, physical feelings The culture of the place – how do people usually get along? Are there rules or traditions unique to this place that are relevant to the story? What makes this place different from the areas that your reader might know? How the setting influenced the conflict How the setting influenced the characters The “feeling” of the place Other things that I’m not thinking of right now!